Team Herald
PANJIM: Congress has hit out at the BJP and Dayanand Sopte for misusing his position as the Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) citing the three-day Mandrem Paryatan Mahotsav in the coastal village.
Sopte, a former legislator of Congress, set to contest the upcoming by-election from Mandrem, has found himself at the receiving end of the Congress for organising the festival in his home constituency.
Addressing the media at the party head office, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar said, “At the behest of hosting such a festival, it is a game plan of the BJP and Sopte for the by-election in Mandrem. What is the logic to hold the Mahotsav in Mandrem? What is the explanation? Was it to attract tourists from other States?”
He further alleged that when tourism in Goa is witnessing a downfall, GTDC Chairman in connivance with BJP was diverting tourism to Mandrem. “Everything is concentrated at Mandrem. GTDC’s job is to promote Goa but the Corporation is converted to Sopte Election Promotion. He is up to destroying GTDC,” he added.
Kawthankar has warned of filing a case with the Vigilance Department if any irregularities are found. “Soon after the event concludes on Sunday, the party will seek details of the festival,” he said.
Sachin Parab, a frontrunner for Mandrem on Congress ticket, alleged that Sopte is instrumental in removing the locals from the beach cleaning job along Mandrem stretch.
He said that around 70 Goan workers employed with Drishti Marine alleged that the firm terminated their service and replaced them with non-Goan workers. Drishti had thereafter issued a press statement claiming that as per the requirement of 30 resources along the Ashvem-Morjim stretch, the jobs were offered but it was refused.
